Womble Bond Dickinson announced the addition of a patent team led by partner Stephanie Seidman in San Diego. The group, which, in addition to Seidman, includes an associate and four technical advisors, holds several advanced degrees, including doctorates in chemical biology, molecular and quantitative biology, neuroscience, and nutritional biochemistry. They join the firm from Dentons.

Seidman has decades of experience advising clients in the biopharma industry on the development and commercialization of patent portfolios. She has drafted and prosecuted hundreds of pharmaceutical, biotechnical, and chemical patents, notably patent portfolios involving complex technologies. Her practice includes patent prosecution, freedom-to-operate analyses, non-infringement and validity analyses, and IP due diligence work in financing and acquisitions.

“Two of the country’s primary life science hubs are in Boston and San Diego. We have an incredible group in Boston, and the addition of Stephanie and her team deepens our capabilities to serve life sciences clients in California and further strengthens our nationwide patent prosecution and litigation practice,” said Preston Heard, who leads the Patent Prosecution and Litigation Practice Group. 

Seidman is recognized for her representation of emerging and developing companies, including private and public companies in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. Her expertise includes molecular biology, therapeutic proteins, small molecules, chemical processes, immunology, screening, stem cells, immunotherapies, and diagnostics. 

“Stephanie and her team bring a powerful combination of legal talent and strong technical backgrounds that will greatly benefit our clients,” said Ryan Cagle, who leads the Chemical, Pharmaceutical, and Biotech Team.” We look forward to their contributions as we continue to grow in these strategically important areas.”

Before private practice, Seidman was a patent examiner for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. She graduated from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law and earned a Ph.D. in molecular biology and biochemistry and an M.S. in chemical physics from Indiana University.